Heel protector



Get. 20, 1931. .1. J. DESTRO 1,828,246

HEEL PROTECTOR Filed July 18, 1930 dttomwqa is the heel and back Patented 20, 1931 h UNITED STATES JOSEPH J. BISTRO, OI CLEVELAND, OHIO am raorncron Application filed m 18, mo. swarm. 468,941.--

Protecting devices for heels and rear por tions of shoes, particularly womens shoes, have been roposed, these protective devices bein for t e purpose of protectin the finish oi the heels and rear portions 0 the shoes against scarring and soiling. they hem especially adapted for protection of the s oes' when the wearer is driving automobiles,-al-

though it will be understood that they are to useful in any circumstances wherein injury to the shoe is likely to occur.

The present invention relates to such a protector whio may be readily slipped on and 05 the bee s of a air of shoes to encase the shoe from such wear, injury and abrasions which would tend to injure the appearance and material of the shoe, and it provides such a protector made of resilient material, such as rubber, hav- 2 ing among other advantages over the known constructions, those of encasing the heel and rear portions of a shoe with a snug fit, this providing a suction cup effect, of providing means'tor readily attaching the protector 235 into position on the shoe to secure the protector from slipping, or other displacement,

and also by making the protector of transparent rubber, to permit the color of the shoe to which the protector is applied to show through the protector, thus lessening the visibility thereof against the shoe.

It will be understood that the protector of this invention may be made in any desired style to correspond to the style of heel over which it is to be worn.

The invention will be more readily understood from reference to the accompanying drawings. in whicha Figure i represents a side view of a womans shoe provided with a protector formed in accordance with the present invention,

Figure 2 is a sectional view through the heel of'the device, showing the manner in which it is secured to the shoe,

Figure 3 is a front view of the device, and

Figure 4 is a section along the line t -4 of Figure 3, showing the attachment of the protector to the shoe.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, 1O represents a shoe, the heel and back i of which is covered by the protector 11, the protector being shaped to correspond to the particular style of heel upon which it is to be worn, and being formed of pure gum rubber, vulcanized, and either colored to a shade corresponding to the color of the shoe upon which the protector is to be worn, or, preferably, formed of so-called transparent rubber which can be worn on any color of shoe, the color of the shoethen showin through the rubber, this permitting any such protector to be worn on shoes of any shade, the color of the shoe showing through the protector, rendering it less visible.

For securing the protector in lace, a hook 12 is molded therein, this hook ing adapted to slip over the top of theback ofthe shoe to hold the protector in close engagement to the shoe. As shown, the hook 12 is not placed on the top edge of the protector, but is surmounted by a pulling tab 12a.

It will be seen from Figure 4 that the hook 12 is brought into engagement to the top of the protector of the shoe by stretching the protector as it is pulled over the heel until the hook is brought up over the piece so it will drop over the top of the s co.

It will be seen that the invention provides a protective covering which will eliectively protect the shoe against wear and injury, being particularly adapted for wear when an automobile is being driven, thus protecting the shoe of the driver from abrasions, from breaking" and from other injuries, and it will be apparent that the article can be produced in a number of ways, as by dipping a form into the gum, or being molded; the article being vulcanized before removal "from the form or mold. As before mentioned, the protector is made in various styles, corresponding to the styles of heels commonly worn, a protector formed in the shape of a Cuban heel for example, slipping over that style of heel, while a protector designed for French heels fits over that style, etc.

In practice the bottom 13 of the protector is made substantially thicker than the sides. In practice a bottom thickness of with a side thickness of is found very convenient, altho obviousl the articles can be made in any thickness esired.

The device is applied to the shoe by drawing itupwardly over the heel and ack of the shoe, the device completely encasing the heel and fitting closely thereto and to' the rear portions of the shoe upper. The bottom, front, side and rear portions of the device fit so closely around the heel that the effect of a suction cup is produced materially assisting in preventing slipping of the device, thus greatly reducing likelihood of its tearmg.

While the invention has been described as being formed of gum rubber, it will be understood that any composition having the desired toughness and elasticity may be em ployed, and it will be apparent that changes in the device can be made without departing from an inventive concept. Accordingly, it will be understood that it is intended and desired to embrace within the scope of this invention such modifications and changes as may be necessary if adapted to various conditions and uses.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is:

A protector for heels and backs of shoes comprising an elastic member preformed to fit a selected style of heel, said member snugly and completely enclosing the heel and back of the shoe when fitted thereto, the back of said member when positioned on the heel terminating substantially flush with the up per portion of the back of the shoe, and an embedded hook adapted to hook over the edge of the rear upper part of the shoe, said hook being in the form of an inverted U-shaped member, one arm of which is completely embedded in the material forming the back of the protector, the material of the protector being thickened to extend completely around the U-shaped member and forwardly thereof to occupy a position between the stocking and the other arm of the U- shaped hook member when the protector is worn, whereby the stocking is protected against damage. r

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

JOSEPH J. DESTRO. 

